Representative First Last

Dear Friend,

Last week, our country observed National Police week, a time when we honor the dedicated work of our brave law enforcement officers. Law enforcement across Wake County put their lives on the line to keep us safe every day, and it's critical that we provide them with the resources they need to do their jobs effectively.

Throughout the week, I was proud to share solutions to help our law enforcement succeed, including announcing funding for essential public safety projects and passing bipartisan legislation to support officers in the field and build community trust.

$2 Million in Funding for Public Safety

To kick off Police Week, I announced over $2 million in federal funding for the Wake County Sheriff's Office as well as the Cary and Wendell Police Departments. From vehicle upgrades to technology improvements, this funding will help ensure our local law enforcement have the resources they need to keep Wake County safe.

I also secured funding for Wake County to support Raleigh Boots on the Ground, a non-profit working to break cycles of violence in our community through prevention and intervention services.

Passing a Bill to Strengthen Police Background Checks

Over 50,000 people apply for law enforcement jobs a year, which includes a background check. Yet officers can still get hired who shouldn't be because current law blocks key hiring agencies from accessing federal criminal history records. That's why I'm proud to report that the House of Representatives passed my bill, the Criminal History Access Act of 2026, bipartisan legislation to ensure that state and local law enforcement training and certification agencies can access the criminal history information they need to properly screen and approve officers.

It is critical that North Carolinians have confidence in their law enforcement, and this bill will help ensure that police and sheriff's departments hire qualified individuals fit to serve our community. This bill passed unanimously and now heads to the Senate.

Watch my remarks on the Criminal History Access Act of 2026 here.

Increasing Opportunities for Women in Law Enforcement

Around 12% of the nation’s police officers are women, a number that has not changed in more than two decades. While honoring our brave law enforcement last week, it is important to acknowledge the barriers female officers face in joining and succeeding in the force. Women are often hindered by outdated hiring processes that focus too heavily on physical strength. Research shows that hiring more women can have a positive effect on overall police performance, especially in cases of domestic and sexual violence.

I introduced the Supporting Women with Career Opportunities in Policing Services (COPS) Act of 2026 alongside Congresswomen Valerie Foushee (NC-04) and Emilia Sykes (OH-13) to address these barriers and incentivize more women to join law enforcement. This bill would revise biased hiring practices and establish standards for the retention and promotion of female officers.

Honoring the Sacrifice of Capitol Police Officers on January 6th

As an alternative to House Republicans’ partisan legislation, I offered a vote on my bill, the No Rewards for January 6th Rioters Act. On January 6th, rioters violently attacked Capitol Police, injuring more than 100 officers. Many of these insurrectionists were convicted and brought to justice for their crimes, until President Trump pardoned these violent criminals. Now, he wants to go even further and use taxpayer dollars to refund rioters for any settlements or fines paid as part of their convictions.

This issue is more than an improper use of taxpayer funds; it is a complete betrayal of the brave Capitol Police officers who put their lives on the line to protect our democracy. If my colleagues on the other side of the aisle are serious about honoring all law enforcement, we cannot allow payouts to individuals who carried out violence on Capitol Police.

Watch my remarks offering a vote on the No Rewards for January 6th Rioters Act here.

National Police Week has come to a close, but I will keep supporting our law enforcement and recognizing their extraordinary sacrifices for our communities.

If you have questions about my work in Congress or need help with a federal agency, please don't hesitate to reach out to my office. My team is here to assist. You can send me an email through my website or call my Raleigh office at (919) 334-0840. For updates on my work on behalf of our community, follow me on Facebook, BlueSky, and Instagram.

Very truly yours,

Deborah